Britain has to rebuild its reputation for giving aid, minister says

Britain has to rebuild its reputation as a global leader in providing assistance to poor countries after the damage caused by the decision to slash the aid budget as part of post-pandemic spending cuts, the development minister, Andrew Mitchell, has admitted.

- Larry Elliott

Speaking at the annual meeting of the World Bank in Marrakech, Mitchell-who led a backbench revolt against the government's decision to abandon its commitment to spending 0.7% of national output on aid - said it was vital Britain "played its part".

He said the UK would contribute generously to the World Bank fund for grants and zero-interest loans to poor countries, would contribute to a capital increase for the bank, and was urging faster progress on giving distressed countries debt relief.